Position Summary

The Development Officer for Membership is a key frontline fundraiser responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with members at all levels, with a particular focus on Clark Society donors. They oversee a comprehensive membership program for 5,000+ members, with annual giving levels ranging from $65 to $100,000, and are expected to meet ambitious goals for both general membership and Clark Society giving.

This role emphasizes strategic engagement through personalized outreach, one-on-one meetings, and thoughtfully designed member experiences. The Officer plays a central role in acquiring, retaining, and upgrading members, and contributes to donor-centered programming aligned with institutional priorities.

In addition to leading Clark Society efforts, the Officer also manages the general membership program in close partnership with the Membership Assistant, ensuring strong engagement, communications, and benefit fulfillment across all levels.

Success in this role requires a proactive approach to as well as adaptability in relationship-building and program execution. Familiarity with the Clark’s mission, programs, and audience is a plus, and candidates should be comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, high-output environment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Donor Engagement and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Clark Society members and high-level general members.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with current and prospective donors to understand interests, deepen engagement, and encourage increased giving.
• Develop individualized stewardship plans for Clark Society members and other key prospects.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to identify and cultivate upgrade opportunities through personal outreach.
• Provide strategic oversight of general membership engagement, ensuring consistent communication, benefit fulfillment, and programmatic opportunities that support retention and growth across all membership levels.

Strategic Event Planning and Member Programming

• Contribute to the strategic development of Clark Society and member events, shaping program themes, messaging, and formats that reflect donor interests and institutional goals.
• Provide input on event content, speakers, and program structure to maximize donor impact and connection.
• Partner with the Senior Development Officer for Special Events, Senior Manager for Advancement Operations and Membership Assistant to ensure events support stewardship and engagement strategies.

Membership Growth and Campaign Support

• Lead the planning and execution of membership campaigns focused on acquisition, renewal, and upgrades.
• Collaborate with the Advancement Data Systems Manager and Prospect Researcher to identify new membership prospects and track membership campaign performance.
• Maintain and grow a base of approximately 5,000 active members, generating nearly $2 million in annual revenue.

Stewardship and Communications

• Draft and tailor donor communications—including thank-you letters, impact updates, renewal solicitations, and promotional content—for both print and digital channels. Write compelling, donor-centered materials for member outreach, including event descriptions and seasonal mailings, while demonstrating creativity, precision, and a thoughtful approach that reflects individual donor interests.
• Exhibit exceptional attention to detail and editorial accuracy across all written materials and member-facing content.
• Coordinate with Communications to ensure member messaging reflects donor interests and institutional priorities.
• Represent Advancement at events and in the community, serving as an ambassador for the Clark’s membership program.

Hiring Salary Range:  $69,400 - $76,700/year

This exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for deductible expenses
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including sick, vacation, and personal time
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (as set by the Massachusetts PFML Statue of Regulations)
• Retirement planning and support
• Professional development opportunities and tuition assistance
• Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discounts at Gift Shop and Café 7

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or membership-based development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Outstanding writing ability, with demonstrated experience crafting donor communications, promotional materials, and personalized outreach that reflect creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in written and verbal communications.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with a donor-centered approach to programming and engagement.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (Tessitura preferred) and donor data analysis.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Excels at multitasking and meeting tight deadlines while consistently delivering high-quality, accurate, and strategically focused work.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small, mission-driven team in a museum environment.
• Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: 
• Ability to sit at a desk/workstation and use a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to stand for up to four hours.
• Ability to bend and reach.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Work Environment:
• Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.